![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_anc67b1K7r-smGGX3_o7xuxGmdK2FTEterXKhHMgDCK1kyPUyqOqoEQj2kzbmvkAhk9TyI7kaaacL1JRz6bH0veNFQbJ52CnvJhrG-FtFSyS41TmPNzx4J0uxgob_m0WDhQ7TE4cEnE/s400/Picture+1.png)
"Originally a shorthand mark for et, Latin for and, the ampersand has a very traceable and visible evolution. Simply put, the & is not much more than e and t coming together. The ampersand is a marriage of the two letters, which came about through rushed writings and abbreviation starting at its birth around 45AD."
via retinart.net